Friction-clutch



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Y w. F. LEE.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

Patented Nov.- 4, 1890.

FIG/.1.

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' No. 439,960. Patented Nov. 4, 1890;I

Y lullen/Z101* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. LEE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FRlCTlON-CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,960, dated November 4, 1890. Y

Application lecl August 6 1890. Serial No. 361,188. (No model.)

transverse section on the line l 2, Fig. l. Fig.

3 is a view showing aform of clutch I prefer to use to connect'a pulley to a shaft. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 3 4, Fig. 2.

Referring in the first instance to Figs. I

and 2, A is the driving-shaft, and A the driven shaft abutting at the point a. On the shaftA is a cone-sleeve B, having the two conical bearing-surfaces b b, and in the present instance having the two extensions b b. This cone-sleeve is secured to the shaft by a key or set-screw, so as to turn with the shaft at all times.

Keyed to the shaft A is a collar C, and adapted to slide longitudinally on this collar is a clutching-hub D, having one or more pins d', which enter longitudinal slots c in the collar C, so as to allow the clutching-hub to have an independent longitudinal Inovement on the sleeve C, but at the same time locking it to the sleeve as regards any turning movement. The inclined clutching-face d is on the same line as the face of the cone-sleeve B, so that when the bearing-surfaces are brought in contact they will be in line with each other.

Pivoted to lugs e e by a pivot-pin f are levers E E. Formed in the short end of each lever is a socket F, in which is a bearingblock G, of any suitable material-such as brass, wood,or fibrous material-and I prefer to place directly back of this block a thrustplate g. Resting against this plate is a setscrew h, which is provided with a jamb-nut h. Thus the bearing-block G can be set up at intervals as it wears away. The face of the bearing-block G is on the same line as the bearing-face of the cone-sleeve B, so that when forced to bear upon said cone-sleeve the said sleeve will be hugged tightly between the bearing-face d of the clutching-hub D and the block G.

Inserted in the face of the clutching-hub D are independent bearing-blocks i, which are adapted to undercut cavities in the said bearing-face d, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. I prefer to make these bearing-blocks of wood, although other material may be used. The blocks are made in three pieces t" i2 t3. The end pieces 2 3 are beveled on one edge to fit the undercut portions of the cavities. When the two blocks 2 s are in place, I force the central block t" between them and secure it to said blocks by any suitable cement, thus preventing the accidental displacement of the bearing-blocks, as shown in Fig. 4.

The long arms of the levers E are in the present instance linked to a sliding sleeve H by links I, pivoted to the sleeve at jj and to the long arm of the levers E at k k. When the sleeve is in the position shown in Fig. l, the long arms of the levers are forced outward and the short arms forced against the bearing-surface of the conical sleeve having the double-cone bearing-faces, at the same time drawing up the clutching-hub D tightly against the conical sleeve, locking the two shafts together; but by moving the sleeve II in the direction of the arrow, Fig. l, the long arms of the levers are drawn toward the center, the short arms thrown outward, and the conical sleeve released from the control of the clutching-hub and clutching-block.

Mounted on an annular rim d2 on the clutching-hub D is a belt-pulley M, having an internal fiangc or lugs fm, which rest against the face of the annular flange d2, and are se cured thereto by suitable bolts n, Fig. 2. The pulley M may be of any diameter necessary, and when a pulley of increased diameter is used the iiange m may be made up of a series of spokes which are secured to the clutchinghub. In place of the pulley M a protectingdrum may be clamped to the annular flange cl2, which will protect the parts of the clutch.

VVlIen it is wished to merely clutch a driving or driven pulley to a shaft, the collar C is dispensed with, the clutching-hub finding its IOC) bearing directly upon the shaft, as shown in Fig. 3, said hub being loose on the shaft.

In order to lsteady the parts, I prefer to alloW one of the extensions b to enter and snugly fit a cavity in the clutching-hub, as shown in Fig. l. This extension may be lengthened or shortened, depending altogether on the character of the clutch, and may in some instances be entirely dispensed with.

In some instances the clutching-sleeve may be made as shown in Fig. 3, having only one inclined bearing-surface, and the number of levers may be increased, depending upon the power required.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination, in a clutch, of the shaft, a sleeve thereon having one or more inclined clutching-surfaces, a longitudinallysliding clutching-hub, and clutchingdevers mounted on said hub, said hub and levers adapted to close upon the said sleeve, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a clutch, of the shaft, a conical bearing-sleeve mounted on said shaft and secured thereto, a clutchinghub, an inclined bearing-face adapted to one face of the conical sleeve, levers pivoted to said hub, the short arms of said levers having bearing-faces adapted to bear against the opposite bearing-surfaces of the conical sleeve, and mechanism for operatin g said levers, substantially-as described.

3. The combination, in a clutch, 0f the abutting driving and driven shafts, a conical clutching-sleeve secured to one of said shafts, a collar C, secured to the other shaft, a clutching-hub adapted to slide longitudinally on but turn with the said collar, having a bearing-surface adapted to engage With the bearing-surface on the conical sleeve, levers pivoted to said clutching-hub, having surfaces adapted to engage With the opposite side of said conical sleeve, and mechanism for operating the levers, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of the shaft, a clutching-sleeve mounted on said shaft, a clutchinghub adapted to bear against said sleeve, pivoted arms on said hub, and bearing-blocks adjustably mounted in the short arms of said levers, also adapted to bear against said sleeve, substantially as described.

5. The combination, in a clutch, of the shaft, a clutching-sleeve having oppositely-inclined bearing-surfaces, a clutching-hub adapted to one of said surfaces, levers pivoted to said v hub, bearing-blocks on said levers adapted to the sleeve, and screws for adjusting the blocks in the said levers, substantially as described.

6. The combination, in a clutch, of the clutching-hub, the bearing portion thereof having dovetailed cavities with bearingblocks adapted to said cavities, said blocks being formed of three or more pieces secured together after insertion in the cavities, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM F. LEE.

Witnesses:

H. F. REARDON, HENRY HoWsoN. 

